Why Bournemouth should hold on to Harry Arter amid Turkish links
According to The Sun, Bournemouth midfielder Harry Arter has emerged as a target for three Turkish top-flight clubs Besiktas, Ankaragucu and Denizlispor in the ongoing transfer window.
It has been claimed that all three aforementioned clubs want to sign the 30-year-old Republic of Ireland international on a permanent deal, with his future at Bournemouth far from settled.
Arter, who has one year remaining on his contract at the Vitality Stadium, is currently back in the Cherries’ set-up after spending the last couple of seasons out on loan at Cardiff City and Fulham.
The central midfielder’s temporary stint in South Wales ended in relegation from the Premier League at the end of the 2018-19 campaign but he featured prominently in the Championship last term as Fulham secured promotion to the top-flight via the playoffs.
Arter started his career at Charlton Athletic before being spotted as a youngster at Woking by current Bournemouth boss Jason Tindall a decade ago. The Irishman joined the Cherries back in the summer of 2010 and has since been a bonafide witness to the club’s journey through the divisions, registering 29 goals and 20 assists in 255 appearances.
Arter brings a lot of experience to Bournemouth’s midfield
Bouremouth are currently a club in transition following their relegation from the Premier League at the end of last season. New manager Jason Tindall faces a big job on his hands to reshape the squad with some new signings before the summer deadline as the club bid to make a return to the top-flight at the first time of asking.
The Cherries have already cashed in on several prized assets like Nathan Ake, Aaron Ramsdale and Callum Wilson amid widespread interest from the Premier League clubs this summer. That has handed a significant boost to the club’s transfer kitty, while also helping them trim the wage bills and balance the books.
With that in mind, it goes without saying that Bournemouth aren’t really under any kind of financial pressure to sell more players and trigger a mass exodus. On the contrary, they might as well look for some cost-effective signings in the market to fill the voids left by the departures.
Harry Arter is one of the longest-serving players at the club alongside captain Steve Cook and his importance to Bournemouth certainly can’t be played down, especially now that they are back in the Championship.
The 30-year-old was one of the key architects of the club’s promotion-winning campaign in the second-tier back in 2014-15 and presents a tried and tested central midfield option at this level. Moreover, an overall career tally of 14 goals and 8 assists in 102 appearances in the Championship clearly indicates that Arter is capable of making a big impact in the English second-tier.
Bournemouth already have the likes of Lewis Cook, Jefferson Lerma, Phillip Billing and Dan Gosling competing for places in central midfield. However, there is certainly enough room for an experienced head like Arter, considering the daunting challenge of a 46-game league season. Add to that the domestic cup fixtures and Arter’s presence in the ranks would add depth and quality.
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Verdict
Harry Arter still has a lot to offer at the highest level and it wouldn’t be a wise decision for Bournemouth to part ways with a proven player in the Championship. The Irishman has been involved in two promotion-winning campaigns at this level in his career, so he’s someone who adds a lot of value to the squad, both on and off the pitch.
